Device used for therapy and for exercising the joints of the human body

ABSTRACT

The present invention introduces a device for therapy and for exercising joints, muscles and the sensitivity for strengthening joints, in particular for strengthening the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint. The exercising device is secured on a parallel surface ( 8 ) by means of two parallel rails ( 12, 12 ′). The special advantage of the exercising device ( 1 ) has to be seen in that the swivel arm ( 2 ) as defined by the invention can be brought into any individual spatial position, so that optimal adaptation to the conditions required for the respective ailing part of the body is assured, and that additionally a tractive and compressive load can continuously and/or alternately act upon the joints.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for exercising thejoints, the musculature and the receptors of the human body, inparticular of the shoulder joint that is affected by limitation ofmobility due to a posttraumatic condition or following immobilization,or due to degenerative processes and/or muscular weakness or muscleatrophies. The limitation of mobility may be capsular or caused bymuscle contraction.

[0002] Such devices are known in the prior art from the American patentsU.S. Pat. No. 5,080,350 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,268. It is perceived asbeing a drawback of such devices that the entire structure of the deviceis built up on a rack and that not all parts of the muscles can bestressed to the required extent during the exercising phase.Furthermore, the structure is relatively complicated, so that themanufacturing costs seem to be high. Moreover, it appears that theindividual adaptation to the special needs in connection with shoulderjoints is not readily assured.

[0003] Another exercising device for the limbs of the human body, inparticular for the parts of the arm is known from the American patentU.S. Pat. No. 5,254,066. The complicated technical structure of saiddevice has to be viewed as its main drawback, which makes its purchaserelatively cost-intensive. The known treatment methods in physiotherapyare the autocentering and strengthening of the so-called rotator cuffsand the increase of the proprioception by compression. Furthermore, thelimitation of the mobility is conditioned both capsular and muscular,which is attempted to be eliminated by traction methods, muscleelongation and other strengthening methods. This can be partlyalleviated in this way.

[0004] It has not been possible until now in connection with the knownexercising devices to exercise in one plane of movement or to applyisolated traction of the exercising apparatus to the joint. Variableresistance in a number of directions becomes in fact more precise;however, this is made possible only by means of computer-controlleddevices combined with substantial expenditure in terms of spacerequirements and cost. As an alternative, it is now possible to supplythe movement manually in combination with traction or compression,which, in practical life, means expenditure in terms of personnel andintensive care, and, furthermore, permits only subjective documentation.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is to be achieved in that anexercising variety of the movements in space as comprehensive aspossible in conjunction with traction and compression is made possibleat variable resistance without being excessively cost-intensive andspace-consuming. In addition to being employed in connection withdiseased conditions in the hospital or on the rehabilitation station,the aim is to make it possible also to employ the device in sports as apreventive means and for strengthening purposes in different kinds ofsports such as, for example rowing, tennis and golf.

[0006] Therefore, the problem of the present invention is to exercisethe joints of the human body affected by a limitation of mobility,weakness, instability or reduction of the deep sensitivity, with asimple technical device without having to use outside help.

[0007] Said problem is solved according to the invention with thecharacterizing features of the independent claim.

[0008] The invention substantially consists of a device for therapy andexercising of the joints of the human body, in particular of theshoulder joint, in a number of directions. Said device comprises atleast one swivel arm that can be brought into any desired spatialposition within the range of action of the swivel arm, and which issecured on at least one pivoting fastening means. An adjustable tractionand compression device comprising at least one pulling andpressure-application element is arranged on said swivel arm.

[0009] The device as defined by the invention makes it possible toperform a movement under traction, intermittent traction and/orcompression without manual contact. The plane of the movement can beadjusted and fixed in this connection in any spatial plane as required.The movement can be opposed by variable resistance as required(strengthening and decontraction), or one movement alone may be requiredby minimal intensity of the movement. Due to the fact that the fixingpoints of the individual variable parameters and adjustments of thedevice can be documented, it is now possible to exactly document thecourse of the therapy. By adjusting the tensile force of the springs andweights it is thus possible to obtain an objective curve of theperformance, which can be plotted on a schematic data sheet of theexercising device.

[0010] It is advantageous according to the invention if the swivel armis secured on a vertical surface, for example on a wall.

[0011] Furthermore, it is advantageous also if the screws are arrangedin the area of the pivot connection.

[0012] Moreover, it is advantageous also if the swivel arm is supportedin a rotational manner in the area of the pivot connection, so that theswivel arm is capable of rotating about its longitudinal axis in therange between 0° and 360°.

[0013] It is advantageous in this connection, furthermore, if the pivotconnection is realized by means of a hinge. In this way, it is possibleto adjust the swivel arm to any position between 0° and 180°, i.e. toswivel the arm both vertically and around its axis.

[0014] So that the swivel arm can be adjusted also vertically asrequired depending on the size of the human body to be treated, it isadvantageous if the swivel arm is secured on a horizontal console insuch a way that it can be adjusted in the vertical direction.

[0015] It is advantageous in this connection if the horizontal consoleis arranged on two rails extending parallel with each other, and if saidrails are provided with drilled holes located with a defined spacingfrom each other, and to fasten the horizontal console via said drilledholes.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous if the swivel arm has the shapeof a disk and such disk is provided on its outer edge with at least onerecess in which the human body can be accommodated.

[0017] It is advantageous, furthermore, if a lever bar is arranged onthe disk-shaped swivel arm, and said lever bar is supported in arotational manner parallel with the plane of the disk.

[0018] It is advantageous, moreover, if a traction and compressiondevice capable of exerting both traction and compression on thelongitudinal axis of the upper arms is arranged in the point of rotationof the lever bar. The compression and/or traction are acting parallelwith the swivel arm and are supplied to the swivel arm in the center.

[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a handle that can be adjustedalong the axis of the lever bar is arranged on one end of the lever bar.

[0020] It is also advantageous if a changeable weight is arranged on theside of the lever bar opposing the handle in order to compensate anytensile forces that might occur.

[0021] According to the invention, the traction and compression devicehas pulling and pressure-applying elements located in the point ofrotation of the lever bar. Such elements are advantageously realized inthe form of a spring or a rope tackle device. It is advantageous in thisconnection if the traction and compression device is designed in such away that the forces are variable. Such a device may be advantageouslyrealized also in the form of a hydraulic cylinder or a motor that canalternately apply traction or compression to the lower arm.

[0022] Other features essential to the invention are specified in thedependent claims.

[0023] The invention is described in greater detail in the followingwith the help of drawings, in which:

[0024]FIG. 1a is a schematic representation of the device (1) as definedby the invention.

[0025]FIG. 1b is a front view of the device (1) as defined by theinvention turned by 90° versus FIG. 1a.

[0026]FIG. 2 shows an exemplified embodiment of the device (1) asdefined by the invention, which is secured on the wall (8) by means oftwo fastening rails (12, 12′);

[0027]FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the traction andcompression device (5) as defined by the invention, comprising theholding device (6) and the pulling and pressure-applying elements (28,26); and

[0028]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the traction andcompression device (5), showing the adjustability of the compressiveforces.

[0029]FIG. 1a is a schematic representation of the device 1 as definedby the invention. The device can be usefully secured on a vertical wallwith the help of the two rails 12, 12′, which extend parallel with eachother and which are fastened with the suitable fastening means 3 notdescribed here in detail. A console 11 not visible in detail in thepresent representation is arranged between the rails 12 and 12′. Theswivel arm 2 as defined by the invention is secured on said console bymeans of a pivot connection 4. The pivot connection 4 is a hinge in thegeneral case. Other connection possibilities such as click-stop devicesthat can be locked in a fixed manner are within the scope of the generalidea of the invention as well. After the pivot connection (hinge),provision is made for another rotating connection 10 (pivot bearing)that permits rotating the swivel arm 2 about its longitudinal axis by360°. Owing to the mobility of the two connections 10 and 11, it is madepossible to adjust the plane of movement for the arm to be exercised inany desired spatial position, which is indicated by the dashed lines 7.In the right-side area of the present representation, a lever bar 19 isrotatably supported on the swivel arm 4. On the one side, the lever bar19 has a handle 23, among other things, and a weight 24 on the sideopposing the handle 23. Both the handle and the weight can be displacedin the longitudinal direction. A traction and compression device 5 isarranged in the point of rotation 20. A holding device 6 serving thepurpose of receiving and supporting the elbow of the human arm issecured on said traction and compression device. The traction andcompression device 5 is described in greater detail below.

[0030]FIG. 1b shows a front view of the device 1 as defined by theinvention that is turned by 90° vis-a-vis FIG. 1a. The two fasteningrails 12 and 12′ are vertically fastened on the wall 8 with the suitablefastening means 3, extending parallel with each other. The swivel armand thus the lever bar 19 are located in an inclined position that waspreviously assumed in accordance with the adjustment required for adefined muscle. In certain situations, the lever bar 19 can be broughtinto a defined position by means of a counter force 25, which, forexample is a spring force. Said position can be changed both by thespring force and the position in space. During the exercise to becarried out, the elbow rests in the holding device 6, whereby the handgrips around the handle 23. Due to the spring force 25 and the counterweight 24 countering the spring force, the resulting force can beadjusted to 0 in the resting point. This results in an optimalexpenditure of force and adaptation to the parts of the body to beexercised. The spring force can be applied to all drilled holes andparts of the device, so that the directions of movement to be activatedare optimally supported.

[0031]FIG. 2 shows an exemplified embodiment of the device 1 as definedby the invention. The fastening rails 12 and 12′ extending parallel witheach other are secured on a vertical wall 8. The fastening rails 12 and12′ are provided with drilled holes located with a defined spacing fromeach other. Said drilled holes serve for receiving the fixing elements14, 14′ on the horizontal console 11. A hinge 4 is secured on thehorizontal console 11 with the help of suitable means. Such suitablefastening means may be screw connections, clamped connections or weldedconnections. The adjusted height of the console 1 depends on the bodysize or sitting height of the patient. Another pivot connection 10 isusefully arranged in the area of the hinge 4, permitting a furtherdegree of freedom of the swivel arm 2. The pivot connection 10, which isrealized in the form of a pivot bearing, is followed by a connectionbridge 21 that is connected with a circular disk 2′ and represents theactual swivel arm 2. The pivot bearing 10 can be provided also with anadjustable resistive force acting against the rotational movement. Thedisk 2′ is provided with the recesses 17 and 18 located in definedsites. Said recesses serve for offering space for the human body and forreducing the weight of the swivel arm. Through the recess 17, the humanbody can be brought near the point of rotation 20 of the lever bar 19 asclosely as desired, so that an optimal position of the shoulder jointversus the point of rotation 20 is assured. The drilled holes 15 arelocated in a perforated circular plate on the disk 2′ and mainly servethe purpose of receiving the plug bolts 16, 16′ serving as stop elementsfor the lever bar 19. The stop elements 16, 16′ can fix the angle ofrotation α of the longitudinal axis of the lever bar 19 at reasonableintervals. A lever bar 19 is supported in the point of rotation 20 onthe disk 2′ in a suitable site located near the recess 17. The tractionand compression device 5 as defined by the invention, which is describedin greater detail below, is arranged in the point of rotation 20.Furthermore, a holding device 6 is secured on the traction andcompression device 5. A handle 23 is secured on one end of the lever bar19 and is provided with a ball joint, so that the handle 23 mountedvertically on the lever bar 19 can be moved in each direction, which isindicated by the dashed lines 23′. The lever bar 19 is provided with thedrilled holes 31, which serve the purpose of adjusting both the handle23 and the counter weight 24 along the lever bar 19. Furthermore, aspring serving as a counter force can be suspended in the drilled holes31 for compensating the force of gravity of the weight 24 and forpermitting different forces of resistance to act from differentdirections.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the traction andcompression device 5. A pressure-applying element 26 is arranged in acylinder 33 and acts against the force of the pulling element 28 withthe weight 32. The pressure-applying element 26 is acting on a surface29 that is connected in a fixed manner with the holding device 6 forsupporting the elbow. The pulling element 28 in the form of a rope lineis secured on the same surface 29. By varying the weight 32 it is thuspossible to adjust the resulting force for the movement of the holdingdevice 6 in a reproducible manner. A cylinder 34 is arranged on thesurface 29. Said cylinder is in turn connected with a bar 35 on whoseend a bow 22 or a cup-shaped means for receiving the elbow is fastened.The holding device 6 is supported in such a way that it can be rotatedaround its longitudinal axis within defined limits. The plane ofrotation of the lever bar 19 is thus variable with a spacing (A) fromthe disk 2′.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a cutout of the holdingdevice 6. On its jacket surface, the cylinder 33 is provided with therecesses 36, which are arranged along a slot 37 with a defined spacingfrom each other. Said recesses 36 serve for adjusting the spring forceof the pressure-applying element 26, so that the force to be raised bythe arm of the human body can be individually adjusted, or the pressureis arrested in order to achieve an isolated pull.

[0034] By virtue of its high variability, the exercising device asdefined by the invention is particularly well-suited for application inconnection with problems of the shoulder joint. It can be used both inthe areas of rehabilitation and sports. Furthermore, a higher therapy orexercising efficiency is achieved at lower cost with the exercisingdevice as defined by the invention. The device can be quickly set up inan uncomplicated manner due to the simplicity of its mechanicalstructure. Furthermore, an important advantage lies in the fact that alladjustments of the exercising device are reproducible and can bedocumented, so that a certain degree of objectivity is assured.

1. A device (1) for therapy and exercising of the joints of the humanbody, in particular of the shoulder joint in a number of directions,comprising at least one swivel arm (2) which can be brought in anyspatial position within the range of action of the swivel arm (2) and issecured on at least one pivot connection (4); and an adjustable tractionand compression device (5) arranged on the swivel arm (2), said devicecomprising at least one pulling and pressure-applying element (28, 26).2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the swivel arm(2) is supported in a rotating manner in the area of the pivotconnection (4), whereby the range of rotation by means of a pivotbearing (10) is between 0° and 360°.
 3. The device according to any oneof the preceding claims, characterized in that the swivel arm (2) isdisplaceable both vertically and horizontally.
 4. The device accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the swivel arm (2) has the shape of adisk on which stop elements (16, 16′) can be arranged in any desiredlocations.
 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in thatdrilled holes (15) are arranged on the disk of the swivel arm (2), intowhich the stop elements (16, 16′) are plugged.
 6. The device accordingto claims 11 and 14, characterized in that the disk (2′) comprises atleast one recess (17) located in the edge zone of the disk.
 7. Thedevice according to claim 1, characterized in that a lever bar (19) isarranged on the swivel arm (2), said lever bar being supported in arotating manner.
 8. The device according to claims 1 and 7,characterized in that the lever bar (19) is rotatably supported parallelwith the plane of the disk (2′) and has a swiveling handle (23).
 9. Thedevice according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized inthat the traction and compression device (5) is arranged in the point ofrotation (20) and acting on the lever bar (19).
 10. The device accordingto any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a weight (24)can be arranged on the side of the lever bar (19) facing away from thehandle (23).
 11. The device according to any one of the precedingclaims, characterized in that the force of the lever arm of the weight(24) can be completely or partly compensated by a counter force.
 12. Thedevice according to claim 1, characterized by a pressure-applyingelement (26) (pressure spring), said element being secured with its oneend on a holding device (6) in a cylinder; and a pulling element (28)forming a counter force to the pressure-applying element.
 13. The deviceaccording to claim 25, characterized in that the pulling andpressure-applying element (28, 26) is arranged in a hydraulic cylinderacting in both directions.
 14. The device according to claim 25,characterized in that the pulling and pressure-applying forces areadjustable.
 15. The device according to any one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the holding device (6) for the elbow of the humanarm is arranged in such a way that it can be rotated around itslongitudinal axis.
 16. The device according to claim 25, characterizedin that the pulling and pressure-applying element (28, 26) is a motor.